Junior football update

Sep 16 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW it’s the East of Scotland Cup first round ties that completely dominate the fixture list.

This is the East Region’s major cup competition and it’s the only one with an all in draw.

The first round has been very kind to the Big County clubs as all but one of them have home ties.

Luncarty is the exception as they are away to Fauldhouse.

The Lothian side play in the Region’s South League.

Jeanfield Swifts are hosts to the cup holders Newtongrange Star who are considered one of the region’s most attractive sides.

Although they were surprisingly relegated from the Super League at the end of last season, they still managed to finish in the honours list as winners of the East of Scotland Cup.

This is the first time Swifts and the Star have met in any competition and it would appear to have all the ingredients to make it a very attractive and interesting cup tie which Swifts are looking forward to.

They have taken full points from their two league games, while their opponents suffered their first league defeat when Tayport beat them at home on Saturday.

They had won one and drawn one of their two previous games.

Swifts boss Scott Brown was disappointed that their league game against Bankfoot was called off last week due to Coronation Park being waterlogged, although he would have been without seven of his squad due to injuries, weddings and holidays. Six of those players are back for tomorrow’s game, the only one of the seven still missing is Ross Gunnion, who is again confined to the sidelines with a knee injury.

Neil Gardiner will also miss the game as he is attending a wedding. Scott Brown expects to have a squad of 18 available.

Newtongrange parted company with their manager towards the end of last season.

Sean Graham was appointed as his successor and he made a number of new signings one of whom is Mel Millar who played with Tranent.

The Lothian side met Swifts in the Scottish Cup at the Riverside last season and Millar, who is a striker, netted a hat trick which ended Swifts cup hopes.

Kinnoull who have taken seven points from the three league games played entertain Broughty and manager Gavin Price reckons there’s every possibility that he could have a full squad available for the first time since the season started, although there are still question marks at one or two players.

Central defender Lee Veitch and midfielder/forward Calum McKinlay, who haven’t made an appearance this season, are back in full training.

Lee has been unavailable, while Calum was sidelined with a knee injury.

Adam O’Conner missed last week’s game with a foot injury has been given the all clear.

Jordan Timmins, knee and Gavin Tinley foot injuries which were picked up in last week’s game are responding well to treatment and they are reckoned to have a better than 50/50 chance of getting the green light.

If there are any doubts fitness tests will decide. Gerrard Kelly unavailable for last week’s game is also back in the squad.

It will be a late selection from the Kinnoull gaffer.

Broughty are in their second season in the Premier League.

Of the three games played they have won one, lost one and last Saturday they were held at home to a 1–1 draw by Arniston Rangers.

They made it to the DJ Laing League Cup semi finals in which they lost out to Lochee United.

Broughty are managed by Kenny Cameron jnr and he added a number of new signings to his squad before the start of the season.

Two of the most notable being former Hibs and Dundee player Steven Tweed, who managed Montrose last season before joining up at Whitton Park and Gary Ogilvie, a well travelled player in the Tayside, was signed from Violet, they are both central defenders.

Broughty will be without striker Birdie Craik as he is suspended.

They haven’t ruled out the possibility of having a new signing in their squad for what should be an excellent cup clash.

Bankfoot have Central League compatriots Lochore Welfare as their visitors to Coronation Park.

The Bankies game with Jeanfield last Saturday was called off due to their pitch being waterlogged they don’t expect any such problems for tomorrow’s game.

Bankies were keen to give their players match practice before this tie and they arranged a friendly with East Fife at their new Methil ground. While they lost out to a strong Fifers side Bankies boss Ian Duff felt it was a very worthwhile exercise which benefited their players.

Bankies will again be without their midfield stalwart Bally Whytock knee injury and striker Alan Stewart has an ankle splints problem. Mike Jarmuszewski picked up an ankle knock in the midweek game but Ian Duff said: “We are pretty sure it won’t cause Mike to miss the game if there is any doubt we will give him a late test.”

The Bankies boss expects to have a squad of 16 or 17.

Lochore were away to Newburgh last Saturday and had to settle with a point as they were held to a draw. Previously they had lost one and won one of their league games.

They will travel to Coronation Park without their regular goalkeeper Craig McMainhim who is suspended, Connor Wilson takes over. Also missing due to suspension is Scott Penman.

Luncarty away to Fauldhouse United, who are in the top half of the South League table, they have won one and drawn two of the league games they have played.

Luncarty are just a point behind them with four points from three games.

Their confidence was given a boost after winning last week’s game and the good news from the Luncarty camp is that they not only have the same squad that brought home the points last week, but it will be strengthened with the return of Derek Angus, Grant McGregor and Andy McCulloch, all of whom were unavailable last week.

Still missing due to injuries are Jason Henderson and Alex Wylie. Luncarty boss Mark Potter said he expects to travel with a squad of 18 or 19.

Blairgowrie take on Tranent and this game will be played at Scone Thistles Farquharson Park as the pavilion at Davie Park is closed.

It has been under repair since before the start of the season.

Blair Chairman Billy Mackay said: “We are indebted to the Scone Thistle committee who when approached agreed to our request without hesitation and are being most helpful in the staging of tomorrow’s game.”

Blair were less than a minute away from registering their first win of the season in their away game against Forfar Albion last week when the Angus club denied them this privilege when they grabbed that very late equaliser.

Blair boss John Holt said: “Our players have been improving in every game and the final result was most disappointing for them.”

Blair are well aware that they will have to buck the odds in tomorrow’s tie if they are to progress to round two of this cup.

Blair have always been recognised as a good cup side and have upset the odds on quite a few occasions. John Holt has no problems and will have his full squad of 17 available.

Tranent have won two of their three league games and drawn one so this look like a tough tie for Blair.

Coupar Angus’ game was called off last week when a late downpour caused the Foxhall pitch to become waterlogged with the players about to come out for their warm up.

This week, Coupar take on South League side Stoneyburn at Foxhall Park.

They like their hosts are still without a league win this season and are second from the bottom of the table.

Coupar must be feeling reasonably confident that they can complete a double by getting their fist win on board and progressing to round two of this cup.

Coupar manager Alan Robinson has signed a goalkeeper. Scott Ewan has joined up at Foxhall from Kettins Amateurs and is in the squad for tomorrow’s game.

Only long term injury victim Robbie Ellis misses out. Alan Robson expects to have 17 players in his squad for this game.

TOMORROW’S fixtures: East of Scotland Cup first round – Bankfoot v Lochore Welfare; Kinnoull v Broughty Athletic; Jeanfield Swifts v Newtongrange Star; Fauldhouse United v Luncarty; Coupar Angus v Stoneyburn; Blairgowrie v Tranent (this game is being played at Scone Thistles, Farquharson Park).

All kick offs – 2.30pm.